Solar System

Scale of the Solar System

Any time we make a diagram of the Solar System, we introduce distortions. In fact, any model makes some things easier to understand, and at the same time distorts other things!

• What distortions do you see in these images?

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Earth

• Although this image helps in some ways, it gives an unrealistic idea of the space between the planets. Start with a roll of paper, make a mark for the location of the sun, and make another mark 5 cm away to represent Mercury's orbit. Continue to make marks for the other planets using the same scale! How close are you?

http://www.nineplanets.org/jupiter.html

http://www.nineplanets.org/gif/outer.gif